Monthly Archives: October 2018

PRAYING FOR OURSELVES

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PRAYING FOR OURSELVES

As we have been talking, prayer is FAR more than bringing our needs and requests to God, but that is where we often start. The Model Prayer gave us a different approach. When we use the Model Prayer, the prayer is essentially half over before a single personal request is made. We need to focus on God. We need to seek His honor. We need to concentrate on His Lordship and Will. After doing these things, we are in the best mind-set to present our daily needs to Him. Then we can take our needs and requests to God daily and trust Him to answer. However, as humans, we may forget to do this daily. So, we need ask God to remind us to turn to Him first. The Holy Spirit is there to give us that reminder. We are then ready to ask God to supply our needs.

Read Mathew 6:11b and Isaiah 38:1-3

When we pray “Give us today the food we need”, we are acknowledging that God is our sustainer and provider. It is a misconception to think we provide for our needs ourselves. We must trust God daily to provide what He knows we need.

We need to note the order of the petitions in the Lord’s Prayer. The first three petitions have to do with God and with the glory of God; the second three petitions have to do with our needs and our necessities. That is to say, God is first given his supreme place, and then, and only then, we turn to ourselves and our needs and desires. It is only when God is given his proper place that all other things fall into their proper places. Prayer must never be an attempt to bend the will of God to our desires; prayer ought always to be an attempt to submit our wills to the will of God.

The second part of the prayer, the part which deals with our needs and our necessities, is a marvelously wrought unity. It deals with the three essential needs of man, and the three spheres of time within which man moves. First, it asks for bread, for that which is necessary for the maintenance of life, and thereby brings the needs of the present to the throne of God. Second, it asks for forgiveness and thereby brings the past into the presence of God. Third, it asks for help in temptation and thereby commits all the future into the hands of God. In these three brief petitions, we are taught to lay the present, the past, and the future before the footstool of the grace of God.

Turning to Isaiah, the narrative shifts its center of interest from national welfare to the personal health of the king. It shows us how ancient Israel understood one part of the prophetic office and how it understood the prayer relationship between people and God. Here is the first time that Isaiah faced Hezekiah personally. The prophet had a stern prognosis: death. Hezekiah found the proper prescription: prayer. The content of the prayer is interesting. As so often in the Psalms (Ps. 7; 17; 26; 59), a confession of innocence appears. Hezekiah had always done God’s Will and attempted to serve God without fail. So, he did not think he deserved the fate received, He went straight to God with his complaint. Hezekiah did not have a self-righteous attitude.

In those days – That is, his sickness commenced about the period in which the army of Sennacherib was destroyed. It has been made a question whether the sickness of Hezekiah was before or after the invasion of Sennacherib. The most natural interpretation certainly is, that it occurred after that invasion, and probably at no distant period. The only objection to this view is the statement in Isaiah 38:6, that God would deliver him out of the hand of the king of Assyria, which has been understood by many as implying that he was then threatened with the invasion.

  Was sick – What was the exact nature of this sickness is not certainly known. In Isaiah 38:21 it is said that it was a boil, and probably it was a pestilential boil. The pestilence or plague is attended with an eruption or boil.  The pestilence was, and is still, rapid in its progress. It terminates the life of those who are affected with it almost immediately, and at the furthest within three or four days. Hence, we see one ground of the alarm of Hezekiah. Another cause of his anxiety was, that he had at this time no children, and consequently he had reason to apprehend that his kingdom would be thrown into contention by conflicting struggles for the crown.

Unto death – Ready to die; with a sickness which in the ordinary course would terminate his life.

Set thine house in order – Give command to thy house, that is, to thy family. If you have any directions to give in regard to the succession to the crown, or in regard to domestic and private arrangements, let it be done soon. Hezekiah was yet in middle life. He came to the throne when he was twenty-five years old 2 Kings 18:2, and he had now reigned about fourteen years. It seems that he had as yet made no arrangements in regard to the succession, and as this was very important to the peace of the nation, Isaiah was sent to him to tell the necessity of leaving the affairs of his kingdom so that there should not be anarchy when he should die. The direction, also, may be understood in a more general sense as denoting that he was to make whatever arrangements might be necessary as preparatory to his death.

Notice how Hezekiah responded to the bad news. He turned to God, prayed and then wept bitterly. He didn’t ask Isaiah to plead with God for him. Neither did he explode in uncontrollable anger out of a sense that God had mistreated him with an injustice. Instead, he went to God in prayer. Previous experience had taught him the value of spending earnest time with the Lord when he faced a crisis (37:14-38).

Read Isaiah 38:4-6

The parallel account in 2 Kings 20:4 reveals that Isaiah left Hezekiah and was on the way to departing from the palace, being as far as the middle court, when the Word of God came to Isaiah again, instructing him to reveal that the Lord had heard his prayers and was extending his life by some fifteen years. “So swiftly does God answer the prayer of faith!” From this we may conclude that God approves of our prayers for health, for life and for strength.

The Lord God of David thy father – is mentioned here, probably, because Hezekiah had a strong resemblance to him 2 Kings 18:3, and because a long and happy reign had been granted to David; and also because the promise had been made to David that there should not fail a man to sit on his throne (see the note at Isaiah 37:35). As Hezekiah resembled David, God promised that his reign should be lengthened out; and as he perhaps was then without a son and successor, God promised him a longer life, with the prospect that he might have an heir who should succeed him on the throne.

Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life – This is perhaps the only instance in which any man has been told exactly how long he would live. Why God specified the time cannot now be known. It was, however, a full answer to the prayer of Hezekiah, and the promise is a full demonstration that God is the hearer of prayer, and that he can answer it at once. We learn here, that it is right for a friend of God to pray for life.  However, when we study Hezekiah’s prayer closely, we observe that he didn’t ask the Lord to heal him. Who can tell but that God often  spares useful lives when worn down with toil, and when the frame is apparently sinking to the grave, in answer to prayer? He may not indeed work miracles as he did in the case of Hezekiah, but he may direct remedies which had not before occurred; or he may himself give a sudden and unlooked-for turn to the disease and restore the sufferer again to health.

And I will rescue you and this city – The purport of this promise is, that he and the city should be finally and entirely delivered from all danger of invasion from the Assyrians. It might be apprehended that Sennacherib would collect a large army, and return; or that his successor would prosecute the war which he had commenced. But the assurance here is given to Hezekiah that he had nothing more to fear from the Assyrians (see the notes at Isaiah 31:4-5; Isaiah 37:35). In the parallel place in 2 Kings 20:6, it is added. ‹I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David‘s sake.‘ In the parallel passage also, in 2 Kings 20:7-8, there is inserted the statement which occurs in Isaiah at the end of the chapter Isaiah 38:21-22. It is evident that those two verses more appropriately come in here.

Read Isaiah 38:15-17

What shall I say? In a way of praise and thankfulness, for the mercies promised and received; I know not what to say; I want words to express the gratitude of my heart for the kindness bestowed. What shall I render to God for all his benefits? He has both spoken to me, and himself has done it; the Lord had sent him a message by the prophet, and assured him that he should recover, and on the third day go up to the temple; and now he had performed what he had promised, he was restored, and was come to the house of God with his thank offering; whatever the Lord says, he does; what he promises, he brings to pass. I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul. Before he did not reckon of a day to live, now he speaks of his years, having fifteen added to his days, during which time he should “go softly”, in a thoughtful “meditating” frame of mindF18; frequently calling to remembrance, and revolving in his mind, his bitter affliction, and recovery out of it, acknowledging the goodness and kindness of God unto him: or leisurely; step by step, without fear of any enemies, dangers, or death, having a promise of such a length of time to live: or go pleasantly and cheerfully, after the bitterness of my soul, as it may be rendered; that is, after it is over, or because of deliverance from it.

O Lord, by such things men live – The design of this and the following verses is evidently to set forth the goodness of God, and to celebrate his praise for what he had done. The phrase “these things” refers evidently to the promises of God and their fulfillment; and the idea is, that people are sustained in the land of the living only by such gracious interpositions as he had experienced. It was not because people had any power of preserving their own lives, but because God interposed in time of trouble, and restored to health when there was no human prospect that they could recover.

Behold, for my own well-being I had great bitterness. Meaning not that instead of peace and prosperity, which he expected would ensue upon the destruction of Sennacherib’s army, came a bitter affliction upon him; for he is not now dwelling on that melancholy subject; but rather the sense is, that he now enjoyed great peace and happiness, though he had been in great bitterness; for the words may be rendered, “behold, I am in peace, I had great bitterness”; or thus, “behold my great bitterness is unto peace”: or, “he has turned it into peace”; it has issued in it, and this is my present comfortable situation: “but”, or rather, and thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: the grave, where bodies rot and corrupt, and are quite abolished, as the word signifies; see Psalm 30:3 or “thou hast embraced my soul from the pit of corruptionF23“; it seems to be an allusion to a tender parent, seeing his child sinking in a pit, runs with open arms to him, and embraces him, and takes him out.

For thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back; as loathsome and abominable, and so as not to be seen by him; for though God sees all the sins of his people with His eye of omniscience, and in His providence takes notice of them, and chastises for them, yet not with his eye of avenging justice; because Christ has taken them on Himself, and made satisfaction for them, and an end of them; they are removed from them as far as the east is from the west, and no more to be seen upon them; nor will they be any more set before his face, or in the light of his countenance; but as they are out of sight they will be out of mind, never more remembered, but forgotten; as what is cast behind the back is seen and remembered no more. The phrase is expressive of the full forgiveness of sins, even of all sins; see Psalm 85:2, the object of God’s love is the souls of his people; the instance of it is the delivery of them from the pit of corruption; the evidence of it is the pardon of their sins.

A New Testament connection with Hezekiah’s poem can be made with Romans 8:28-29. In that passage, Paul urged believers to trust the Lord to be at work in us so we can grow toward maturity in Him. He intends to shape us through our experiences in life so we can be more like Christ. Therefore, we live in the assurance that God answers us when we pray. He also strengthens and benefits us in ways we had not anticipated, especially when “Praying for Ourselves”.

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REVELATION: What are Christians Affirmations? They are a method to reprogram your mind to gain spiritual confidence in agreement with God's word. It is a marvelous way to gain an amazing insight into God's loving character. Affirmations that lift your life.

CHRISTIANS AFFIRMATIONS WILL GIVE A BETTER OUTLOOK ON LIFE

PRAYER OF SURRENDER

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A PRAYER OF SURRENDER

Have you ever told a child- “Because I said so”? Or how about- “You need to do it my way”? Anyone who has ever helped raise a child knows it’s sometimes difficult to explain the reason why the child must do something or can’t have something. Children often don’t ask for what is best for them, but they must learn to trust the parent or adult. As we come to God with our requests, we must trust Him also. For God is the “parent” and we are His children. It comes as a surprise to many people from what has been called the “selfie” generation that to follow Jesus means to give up our selfish desire and to seek first God’s kingdom (Matt. 6:33). We need to have God teach us to make our priority to pray for God’s Will to be done. Then we can approach prayer with humble submission to God’s Will.

Read Matthew 6:10-11a

Honoring the Lord when we pray opens the door for surrendering to Him. Jesus’ Model Prayer showed us the path from praise to submission as we approach our Father. It tells us to pray that His Will be done. This makes it a Prayer of Surrender. Jesus taught us to honor the Lord’s name as holy when we pray (6:9). Jesus intends for us to grow in Him as kingdom citizens and to make Him our highest priority. He knows that as we strive to live out His intention, we will face a serious temptation. When we give into temptation, we’ll neglect God’s kingdom. But we invite Christ into our lives, we become citizens of His kingdom.

The phrase in verse 10 “May your kingdom come” is a reference to God’s spiritual reign, not to Israel’s freedom from Rome. The eternal community in which God rules as king with complete authority over His people who have received His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. God’s kingdom was announced in the covenant with Abraham (Matt. 8:11; Luke 1:26), is present in Christ’s reign in believers’ hearts (Luke 17:21) and will be complete when all evil is destroyed, and God establishes the new heaven and earth (Rev. 21:1). When we pray “May Your Will be done”, we are not resigning ourselves to fate but praying that God’s perfect purpose will be accomplished in this world as well as in the next. God accomplishes His Will largely through people willing to obey Him. This part of the prayer allows us to offer ourselves as doers of God’s Will, asking Him to guide, lead, and give us the means to accomplish His purposes.

Read James 4:6-10

James 4:6-10 is showing the need to be humble. There are three challenging things James tells us to do. He promises that these will change our lives. This passage from James was written in a very serious circumstance. Christians were quarreling; committing murder and adultery; living by lust, greed, and envy. They were making themselves enemies of God, denying the Spirit who dwelled in them, and embracing the world and its ill-gotten pleasures (James 4:1-5).

Having reprimanded them for this, James tells them, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).  Then James tells sinners three things they need to do.  1) Resist the devil (v. 7). 2) Draw near to God (v.8). 3) Humble yourselves (v. 10). James wipes the smiles off their faces: “You sinners, cleanse your hands. You double-minded purify your hearts. Be miserable and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to grieving, and your joy to gloom” (James 4:8-9). In the course of this rebuke, James offers these three things for those sinners to do, so as to revolutionize their lives and mend their relationship with God. We may not be in the fallen state those rebuked were in, but the three things are not reserved for apostates and reprobates. Even the best Christians ought to do these things, because they promise the avoidance of sin as much as they promise its rectification.

Now here is something wonderful. You can resist the devil. Did you realize you have that power? Well you do. The grace of God grants it to you —if you are humble about it (1Corinthians 10:12-13). The devil’s reaction may not be to scamper off immediately. He may tempt and try you a bit harder at first. But if you consistently resist him, he will fear the power of God in you, and he will flee. He may come back again another time, but he can’t win if you keep resisting him with the power God’s grace supplies you.

Here’s something more wonderful still. You can draw near to God. Did you realize that you have that privilege? Is it possible to be close to a God far away in heaven, “who dwells in unapproachable light” (1Timothy 6:15-16)? Well of course you cannot go into heaven (yet) and meet with God. James however mentions “the Spirit dwelling in us” (James 4:5). We have access to God through the Spirit (Ephesians 2:18) and “The Spirit intercedes for us” (Romans 8:26). So, we can draw near to God and be near him all the time —so long as we go to him humbly.

This is perhaps the most wonderful thing of all. God will exalt those who come to him humbly. Peter says the same (1Peter 5:6). Some translations say that God will “lift you up” but I’m inclined to think “exalt” is more what God has in mind. We come to God with no pretensions, seeking his grace, and he blesses us “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3), and grants us “his precious and magnificent promises” (2Peter 1:4).

Read James 4:13-17

James moves to a new application in giving a warning specifically about business forecasting. Somewhat unusually, he focuses first on the principle of trusting God. He opens with sobering words: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.’ Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring.  For you are a mist (vapor) that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:13–14). It might seem that James is condemning even short-term business plan­ning. Planning ahead, however, is not his concern. Imagining that we are in control of what happens is the problem.

The following verse helps us see James’s real point: “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:15). The problem is not planning; it is planning as if the future lies in our hands. We are responsible to use wisely the resources, abilities, con­nections, and time that God gives us. But we are not in control of the out­comes. Most businesses are well aware how unpredictable outcomes are, despite the best planning and execution that money can buy. The annual report of any publicly traded corporation will feature a detailed section on risks the company faces, often running ten or twenty pages. State­ments such as “Our stock price may fluctuate based on factors beyond our control” make it clear that secular corporations are highly attuned to the unpredictability James is talking about.

Why then does James have to remind believers of what ordinary businesses know so well? Perhaps believers sometimes delude them­selves that following Christ will make them immune to the unpredict­ability of life and work. This is a mistake. Instead, James’s words should make Christians more aware of the need to continually reassess, adapt, and adjust. Our plans should be flexible and our execution responsive to changing conditions. In one sense, this is simply good business practice. Yet in a deeper sense, it is a spiritual matter, for we need to respond not only to market conditions but also to God’s leading in our work. This brings us back to James’s exhortation to listen with deep attention. Christian leadership consists not in forcing others to comply with our plans and actions, but in adapting ourselves to God’s word and God’s unfolding guidance in our lives.

“As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.” (v. 16). Boasting is evil because we are defying our utter ignorance of the true state of thing, turning a blind eye to the frailty of the fittest man and the fact that we depend upon God for everything. God wasn’t in Rodale’s thinking. There in that New York TV studio was a man who in one area of life had some knowledge, that is, of vitamins and healthy eating. He had one piece of the jigsaw and had become an authority in that single piece. But the other pieces? Such as length of life? And human unpredictability? And the divinely forged connection between sin and death? And the whole picture? He knew nothing at all about these things. The youngest child in the kingdom of God knew more than he did. John Calvin once observed, “Men arrogate too much to themselves when they think that they excel in anything.” James says baldly, “That is evil.” Not just the great cruel crimes that we read about too often. Yes, they are evil too, but boasting and bragging. Its source is the evil one. From the beginning he boasted what he could do for our first parents. He boasted to the Son of God that if he would fall down and worship him he would give him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Every time you hear a man bragging, think of the pit. That is the source of all pride. Our boasting shows that we are sinful men. Then there is the other root problem.

Our Sins of Omission. v.17 “Therefore to him that know to do good, and do it not, to him it is sin.” We know the good we ought to do? Yes, because the things of the law are written in every heart. We know that it is wrong to lie and to steal and to kill and to worship an idol and to boast and brag. We know because God has given you a conscience – his great monitor that commends you when you do well and condemns you when you do wrong. The famous Puritan illustration of the conscience compares it to a sundial. That is, it operates effectively only when it is enlightened by the light that strikes it from the Bible. It will give us a reading if we shine our torch upon it. It will tell us a time but it is inaccurate, because it only works effectively by the light of the sun. So, our consciences will work best when they are illuminated by the Bible. Think of those who have the conscience of evil! They do it in conscience. Think of the conscience of the Auschwitz guards! They acted by the light of their conscience. Driving the Jews into the gas-chambers and going home to sing ‘Silent Night’ with the families at Christmas. Men can muffle and distort the voice of conscience.

James reminds us that we should be guided by what is good when we make our plans. What is good is the coming of God’s kingdom and our willingness to be submissive to His Will for us. Surrendering our plans to Him enables us to accomplish His kingdom plan for us each day. We sin when against God when we decide to take actions that reflect rebellion against Him. So, sin can also involve what we decide not to do. That is where “A Prayer of Surrender” comes in and is important to know God’s Will.

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PRAYER OF PRAISE

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A PRAYER OF PRAISE

We have considered to whom we pray, now let’s think about why we pray. It is natural for many of us to call out to God when we need something. While it is certainly okay to ask God for help or even something we need, it should not be the only time we pray to God. God does invites us to come to Him with our requests and prayers. However, we need to consider what God wants. In the Model Prayer, Jesus tells us to petition for God’s name to be honored as holy. We are to bring our requests to Him and seek an answer that brings honor and glory to God. Our prayers should be driven by the desire to honor God and in everything we say and do.

Read Matthew 6:9b; Psalm 96:1-3

The second part of Matthew 6:9b states- “Your name be honored as holy”. This is Jesus’ instruction for us to honor our Father. The honor we give Him cannot be something that’s contrived or produced out of obligation or ritual. It’s something that we sincerely want to do. Our desire to honor Him inspires us to praise Him. While we know the prayer that Jesus shared with us as the Lord’s Prayer, it may be best to call it the Model Prayer. Both are very good names. However, Jesus intended for us to use it as a guide or model when we pray. Jesus was telling us how to acknowledge God as Father when we begin to talk with Him. How we approach our Father makes more of a difference than we may realize at first. When we honor God at the outset of our prayer, we’re more settled in His presence. Coming into His presence matters more than making sure that He hears about our needs- since He already knows our needs.

Psalm 96 is for royalty. It should start with timpani (kettledrum) and end with a trumpet. This enthronement psalms (93; 95-99) calls the people to praise God (verses 1-3, 7-10a, 11-12a) and gives reasons why God is worthy of praise (verses 4-6, 10b, 12b-13). Taken together these moves “describe the nature and consequences of God’s rule.” God’s reign gets spectators involved and awakens sleepers. No wonder the Psalm brims with imperatives: three times we are told to sing, and after that to bless, tell, declare, ascribe and worship. This Psalm is motivational. It moves people to proclaim God’s mercy and might. It offers insights into how to honor the Lord as holy when we pray.

In Part 1 (verses 1-3) God’s people get their marching orders. First, we are to “sing a new song” (verse 1). But what exactly is that new song? The preacher can well ask what song his or her congregation is given to sing. The Psalm leaves that pretty open ended. It could be Psalm 96 itself, or some brand new composition. It might be a response to some event in the story of God’s people, such as “the return of the exiles from Babylonian captivity” or something that has happened in your congregation or community. It could be a song looking toward the future, or one that combines past, present and future.2

After three calls to sing, the Psalm moves to another imperative: the call to bless God’s name (verse 2). Of course, God does not need our blessing. But in worship, to bless God is to tell of God’s saving deeds…to extol God’s mercy, might and compassion. Ancient worshippers in the Temple used Psalm 96 (and others like it) to bless God, and they may also have knelt and lifted up their hands. Worship is between the worshipper and God, yet it moves outward with another imperative: we are to tell others of God’s salvation. This is not just preaching to the choir, but to all the world. The Psalmist says we are to declare God’s glory “among the nations” God’s marvelous works “to all the people.” So, Psalm 96 has been called a “missionary psalm.”

Because He has saved us, glorifying Him always remains our primary passion. To glorify Him implies that we cast the light on Him and call attention to His name and the meaning in our lives. When we declare His glory to others (v.3), we eagerly put the light on God so they will turn to Him. Our eagerness to declare His glory knows no boundaries. We want to proclaim His name to every people group and every nation in the world. As we eagerly sing the song of praise to Him, we want the whole world to hear the good news of His salvation.

Read Psalm 96:4-6

Part 2 (verses 4-6) tells why God is to be praised. God is great above the heavens. But down here on earth where there are many gods, the one true God outshines them all. The Psalmist dismisses those other gods-with-a-small-‘g’- as mere idols. They are things we made up, in contrast to the creator who made us, and the heavens (verse 5). We praise God as Creator, and we also praise God’s character.

For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised (v. 4).  He is no petty deity, presiding, as the heathen imagined their gods to do, over some one nation, or one department of nature. Jehovah is great in power and dominion, great in mind and act; nothing mean or narrow can be found in him or his acts, in all things he is infinite. Praise should be proportionate to its object, therefore let it be infinite when rendered unto the Lord. We cannot praise him too much, too often, too zealously, too carefully, too joyfully. He deserves that nothing in his worship should be little, but all the honor rendered unto him should be given in largeness of heart, with the utmost zeal for his glory.

He is to be feared above all gods (v. 4). Other gods have been worshipped at great cost, and with much fervor, by their blinded rotaries, but Jehovah should be adored with far greater reverence. Even if the graven images had been gods they could not have borne comparison for an instant with the God of Israel, and therefore his worship, should be far more zealous than any which has been rendered to them. He is to be feared, for there is cause to fear. Dread of other gods is mere superstition, awe of the Lord is pure religion. Holy fear is the beginning of the graces, and yet it is the accompaniment of their highest range. Fear of God is the blush upon the face of holiness enhancing its beauty.

For all the gods of the nations are idols (v. 5).  Mere images of wood and stone, vanities, nothings. But the Lord made the heavens. The reality of his Godhead is proved by his works, and foremost among these the psalmist mentions that matchless piece of architecture which casts its arch over every man’s head, whose lamps are the light of all mankind, whose rains and dew fall upon the fields of every people, and whence the Lord in voice of thunder is heard speaking to every creature. The idol gods have no existence, but our God is the author of all existences; they are mere earthly vanities, while he is not only heavenly, but made the heavens. This is mentioned as an argument for Jehovah’s universal praise. Who can be worshipped but he? Since none can rival him, let him be adored alone.

Perhaps the most famous description of God’s character appears in Psalm 103:8 (and elsewhere): God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” The description of God’s character found in Psalm 96: 6 has a different emphasis: God’s “honor and majesty are before Him, his strength and beauty fill the sanctuary.” This points to God’s sovereignty and holiness, an important theme in scripture though often neglected today. Honor and majesty are before him. (v. 6). Men can but mimic these things; their pompous pageants are but the pretense of greatness. Honor and majesty are with him and with him alone. In the presence of Jehovah real glory and sovereignty abide, as constant attendants.

Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. In him are combined all that is mighty and lovely, powerful and resplendent. We have seen rugged strength devoid of beauty, we have also seen elegance without strength; the union of the two is greatly to be admired. Do we desire to see the “sublime and beautiful” at one glance? Then we must look to the eternal throne. In the Chronicles we read strength and gladness; and the two renderings do not disagree in sense, for in the highest degree in this instance it is true that “a thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

Read Psalm 96:7-9

Part 3 (verses 7-10) returns to the imperative mood once more, in a worship setting. Three times we are told to ascribe to glory to God. To “ascribe” is to name a quality that belongs to a person or thing. To a deer we ascribe speed and grace and to an artist or composer we ascribe creative genius. To God we ascribe glory and strength — especially when looking at creation. To express our gratitude and dependence on God, we are told to bring an offering, come into God’s courts (verse 8) worship the Lord, and tremble before God (verse 9). In verse 10 (not included in the lectionary) we are to say to the nations that the Lord is King.

Ascribe to the Lord, used in the same triple manner. This is after the manner of those poets whose flaming sonnets have best won the ear of, the people, they reiterate choice words till they penetrate the soul and fire the heart. The invocation of the sweet singer is still addressed to all mankind, to whom he speaks as Ye kindreds of the people. Divided into tribes and families, we are called in our courses and order to appear before him and ascribe to him all honor.  “All worship be to God only,” is the motto of one of our City companies, and it may well be the motto of all the families upon earth. Family worship is peculiarly pleasing unto him who is the God of all the families of Israel. Give unto the LORD glory and strength, that is to say, recognize the glory and power of Jehovah, and ascribe them unto him in your solemn hymns.

Bring an offering and come into his courts. Come with an un-bloody sacrifice; atonement for sin having been made, it only remains to bring thank offerings, and let not these be forgotten. To him who gives us all, we ought gladly to give our grateful tithe. When assembling for public worship we should make a point of bringing with us a contribution to his cause, according to that ancient word, “None of you shall appear before me empty.” The time will come when from all ranks and nations the Lord will receive gifts when they gather together for his worship. 0 long expected day begin! This is language taken from the temple worship, and means that God is to be worshipped, in the manner which he has prescribed, as a suitable expression of his majesty.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. This is the only beauty which he cares for in our public services, and it is one for which no other can compensate. Beauty of architecture and apparel he does not regard; moral and spiritual beauty is that in which his soul delights. Worship must not be rendered to God in a slovenly, sinful, superficial manner; we must be reverent, sincere, earnest, and pure in heart both in our prayers and praises. Purity is the white linen of the Lord’s choristers, righteousness is the comely garment of his priests, holiness is the royal apparel of his servants. Fear before him, all the earth. “Tremble” is the word in the original, and it expresses the profoundest awe, just as the word “worship” does, which would be more accurately translated by “bow down.” Even the bodily frame would be moved to trembling and prostration if men were thoroughly conscious of the power and glory of Jehovah. We should enjoy the privilege of knowing Him intimately as our Father. Then all of our prayers will be “A Prayer of Praise”.

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REVELATION: GOING OUT

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GOING OUT

This is all about doing what we can to spread the gospel. Engaging others with the gospel mean going where they are. The majority of churches in America want outsiders to come in to get involved with their church. However, asking others to visit any church is just not enough, because most people never come to the church building. There is a “bunker mentality” when the church’s primary purpose is the safety and comfort of its members. The church (the people) must go where others are and extend the invitation. Instead of waiting for people to come to us, believers are to go to them and tell them to come to Christ. What this says is that believers must become outwardly focused rather than inwardly focused- more concerned with others than ourselves. Paul was always “Going Out” to tell others of the gospel that literally meant the world to him. None of us, can hope to do anything close to what did in spreading the gospel, but we all should do something (as the saying goes- “even if it is wrong”). When we try and leave the results to the Holy Spirit, we are doing Jesus’ work.

Read Acts 16:6-8

The overall setting is the events of Paul’s second missionary journey. In Acts 16 it details how God stopped Paul from going into various regions of Asia Minor. When Paul and his companions had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia. If we consult a map, we will see that what is described in four lines here was a really long journey. Galatia, Phrygia and Asia (Minor) were three regions that succeeded each other. Paul and those who accompanied him, passed the first two (Phrygia and Galatia) and came to the third one: Asia Minor. However, as the text says, God, the Holy Spirit, forbade them to preach the Word there, and thus they went north towards Mysia. Nevertheless, when they tried to move from there to Bithynia, God forbade them again. As a result, they passed by Mysia and went to Troas, on the Aegean Sea.

As it may be obvious from the above, Philippi was not a place to which Paul and Silas were planning to go from the beginning. In fact, they tried twice to go to other places, but God forbade them. The reason He forbade them is not because He did not desire His Word to be preached in those areas. Actually, Paul went to Asia Minor some time later and as Acts 19:10 tells us: “All who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” Nevertheless, we all know that it is not possible to be in two different places at the same time. In other words, the Word was impossible to be preached simultaneously by the same man in Asia or Bithynia and in Philippi. Something necessarily had to come first and something second. As it seems, from God’s point of view, Philippi and Greece had time priority over Asia and Bithynia. From these we can conclude that God is not interested in just the preaching of the Word, but in the preaching of the Word where HE wants, as HE wants and when HE wants. As Ephesians 5:23 tells us: “Christ is the head of the church.” We should never be surprised by this, in fact, this is what needs to guide us. We need to listen for and be obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leadership- Paul and Silas were!

Read Acts 16:9-10

God had not called them that specific time, to preach the Word in Asia and Bithynia. Instead He had called them to preach the Word in Macedonia and finally in all the eastern mainland of Greece. How did they know it? The Lord COMMUNICATED IT TO THEM through a vision. In fact, He communicated it to them in such a way that they ASSUREDLY gathered that the Lord had led them to go there. However, do we believe that God would have done this if they were not ready to move where He wanted them to move? I do not think so. God will not compel anyone to work in His field. However, if someone wants to work for Him – which is exactly what He expects from us; we should not make up our own way about how, when and where he is going to move, but he should consult the Master who is ultimately responsible to decide on these.

Verse 9, Ὅραμα διὰ τῆς νυκτὸς” a vision in the night) It is not said to have been a dream; although it was the night. No other dream is mentioned in the New Testament, except the dreams which were given to Joseph in those earliest times, Matthew 1, 2, and the dream of the wife of Pilate, a Gentile. In Acts 2:17, the words are repeated from Joel. The night is seasonable for learning the Divine will.  The man was an angel, or a kind of apparition, as in  Acts 10:11. a Macedonian). The appearance of a man who was known to be of Macedonia, probably by his dress and language. The will of God was at different times made known in both visions and dreams. Compare Matthew 2:12; note, Acts 10:3. Grotius supposes that this was the guardian angel of Macedonia, and refers for illustration to Daniel 10:12-13, Daniel 10:20-21.

Macedonia was an extensive country of Greece, having Thrace on the north, Thessaly south, Epirus west, and the Aegean Sea east. It is supposed that it was populated by Kittim, son of Javan, Genesis 10:4. The kingdom rose into celebrity chiefly under the reign of Philip and his son, Alexander the Great (Daniel’s interpretation of the third kingdom).  It was the first region in Europe in which we have any record that the gospel was preached. That is, by preaching the gospel. This was a call to preach the gospel in an extensive pagan land, amid many trials and dangers. To this call, notwithstanding all this prospect of danger, Paul and Silas cheerfully responded, and gave themselves to the work. Their conduct was thus an example to the church. From all portions of the earth a similar call is now coming to the churches. Openings of a similar character for the introduction of the gospel are presented in all lands. Appeals are coming from every quarter, and all that seems now necessary for the speedy conversion of the world is for the church to enter into these vast fields with the self-denial, the spirit, and the zeal which characterized the apostle Paul.

Read Acts 16:11-15

Paul and his friend Silas travel together. They traveled in a ship and then on land to tell many people about Jesus. Everywhere they went, they took time to tell people the good news of how to get to Heaven by believing in Jesus Christ. As they were traveling, they stopped at the city of Philippi. It was a big city with lots of people. They stayed there for several days. On church day, they went outside the city to a beautiful spot by the river to pray. As Paul and Silas walked closer, they saw a group of women in a circle talking. Paul and Silas began to talk to them. They probably shared how Jesus had changed their lives. One woman that was listening was named Lydia.

Lydia was a God-fearer. That is, she was a gentile (non-Jewish) who worshipped God. She met Paul on the river right outside of Philippi and believed his testimony about Jesus. She is described as Lydia from Thyatira, who was a dealer in purple cloth.
It is possible that this woman’s name was not Lydia. She might have been a woman of Lydia, which was a geographical region, and Thyatira was a city in Lydia. When Paul writes to the Philippians he mentions different women, but never uses the name of Lydia. We can safely believe that if there was a Christian woman in Philippi with that name, Paul would have mentioned her and sent greetings. The story in Acts indicates she had been important to his work in Philippi. Unless she had died or moved away, the absence of Lydia as a name lends support to the supposition that it was the region from which she came. But there aren’t any clues as to which one in Philippians might be “Lydia.”
Lydia was a business woman. She seems to have been prosperous and the head of her household. Her business was dealing with purple cloth. Purple dye was difficult to attain and consequently expensive. This is why it became known as a royal color, kings being the ones who could afford it. The Israelites, however, included at least one purple thread in their prayer shawls, a reminder of God’s concern for rich and poor alike. Thyatira was a city famous for its dyers of cloth. Lydia herself may have been a merchant who had set up business in Philippi. She wasn’t a travelling merchant because she appears to have had a permanent home there. After meeting Paul and believing his witness to Jesus, she and the members of her household were baptized as Christians.
The head of the household would have had the authority to make a religious decision for everyone. In the Old Testament, Joshua does so when he urges the Israelites to “choose this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
If Lydia did make the decision for everyone, they still appear to have become sincere Christians, because Paul had a good relationship with the Philippian church, a foundation of which had to be Lydia’s household. One reasonable explanation for this could be the fact that Lydia subsequently invited Paul to stay in her home during his time in Philippi. This would have been an economic help to Paul, relieving him of the need to earn a living while there. But from the point of view of the household, it gave an opportunity for further instruction in the Christian faith. A further example of Paul’s feelings of closeness with the Philippian church is the fact that they were the only ones he allowed to contribute to his expenses while he was at other churches.

This all part of God’s plan for Paul and to provide for Lydia’s salvation. The financial help provided Paul a means to continue with spreading the gospel. When we GO OUT for God He provides a way, a method, and a subject to spread the gospel- and sometimes the means.

Here is a great website for all types of Christian helps and tips for all ages, including clothing and many other Christian items:

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REVELATION: AUTHENTIC JOY

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AUTHENTIC JOY

When we meet people for the first time that we do not know, we can usually manage a smile and be polite. However, it is not always easy to be genuine. Most of the time it depends on what kind of day we are having. Others may be able to discern if we are being superficial, but there are times we just can’t help ourselves. In these times, others are likely able to determine the difference of our casual “glad to see you” and authentic joy. We cannot manufacture such genuine joy. We need to find a way to achieve authentic joy, so we don’t come off as an uncaring person. We can possess authentic joy when we are consumed with the gospel and the love of Christ. Since we are human, this is not easy to do. It takes prayer, reading God’s Word, and the constant help of the Holy Spirit. Authentic joy flows from a thorough, complete relationship with Jesus. Apostle Paul tells us about this type of relationship in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

This Epistle is Paul’s first letter. He had been chased out of Thessalonica by the mob, made   the best of his way to Athens, stayed there for a very short time, then he took himself to Corinth, and at some point, there, this letter was written. So, this was Paul’s first attempt, so far as we know, to preach the Gospel by writing letters of this type. It is interesting to notice how, whatever changes and developments there may have been in him thereafter, all the substantial elements of his latest faith is on display in this earliest letter, and how even in regard to trifles we see the hints of much that came afterwards. This same triad, we remember, ‘faith, hope, charity,’ recurs in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, though with a very significant difference in the order.

The letter is interesting on another account. Remembering that it was only a very short time since these Thessalonians had turned from idols to serve the living God, there is something very beautiful in the overflowing generosity of commendation, which never goes beyond veracity, with which he salutes them. Their Christian character, like seeds sown in some favored tropical land, had sprung up swiftly; yet not with the dangerous kind of swiftness which presages decay of the growth. It was only a few days since they had been gravelling before idols, but now he can speak of ‘our work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope’ . . . and declare that the Gospel ‘sounded out’ from them–the word which he employs is that which is technically used for the blast of a trumpet–’so that we need not to speak anything.’ Rapid growth is possible for us all and is not always superficial.

Following the opening address, as was typical in Paul’s writings (Galatians is the only exception), an expression of thanksgiving was offered. Paul was genuinely thankful for the believers in Thessalonica. Their loyalty to him and the gospel overflowed Paul’s heart with joy-authentic joy! The verb tense of the term rendered “thank”, along with the words “always” and “constantly”, indicate that Paul was consistent in his thankfulness and in his prayers for Thessalonian believers. The Thessalonians were a source of constant joy for Paul. So, Paul’s authentic joy was in others- not himself.

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6

Paul was certain that the Thessalonian believers were among God’s elect, “beloved” and “chosen” by Him. He believed that it was impossible for people to respond to God if God had not previously taken the initiative by reaching out to them. Paul was convinced that the labors of the missionaries had been in keeping with God’s initiative in reaching out to the Thessalonians. They had not just spoken words, although Paul certainly did not depreciate the place of preaching in bringing conviction. God had affirmed their preaching by demonstrations of “power”. Interpreters generally assume that power refers to miraculous manifestations of the presence of God, as in healing, for an example. The Holy Spirit’s presence had also been clearly discernable in the presentation of the gospel. Moreover, the three missionaries had preached with a “full conviction”. This was in itself a manifestation of God’s presence in their lives. So, these three aspects of their ministry- power, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and great conviction- were evidence that they were the will of God in the missionary work which had resulted in the birth of the church in Thessalonica.

Paul emphasized the way the gospel was presented to the Thessalonians. Next, he wrote about the way they had responded to it. They became “imitators” of the missionaries and “of the Lord”. They responded to the authority of Paul’s preaching and became followers of the Lord. It had not been easy for the Thessalonians to respond to the preachers of the gospel. The “affliction” to which the letter refers is special kind of suffering. It is unjust and undeserved suffering that was because of commitment to Jesus Christ. But the Thessalonian Christians had not been negative and complaining. Indeed, the opposite was true. They had received the gospel with the “joy” that the Holy Spirit gives to believers.

Read 1 Thessalonians 7-10

This combination of affliction and joy is characteristic of genuine believers. The way the Thessalonians had received the word in the midst of great affliction made them “an example” for believers in the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia. We, however, must not interpret “example” in the wrong kind of way. We do not become Christians by following the example of anyone. We can only become Christians by the presence and power of God through our personal faith. The example of the Thessalonians bore witness to the divinely given realities of a life of faith. Such a course of conduct was possible to others who, inspired by the Thessalonians, also trusted God in the same way.

The news about the response of the Thessalonian believers to the gospel had spread rapidly. Indeed, it had preceded the arrival of the missionaries in other places. Instead of the missionaries themselves having to tell about what God had done in Thessalonica, they found other people already talking about it. “Everywhere” (v. 8) is hyperbole, of course. Paul meant “everywhere they had traveled”. Paul was primarily concerned about the result of the visit and not the personal welcome given to the missionaries. The results of the visit was that the Thessalonians had turned “from idols”. This implies that they were pagans and not Jews. According to Acts, some Jews had responded favorably to the gospel (Acts 17:4). Most of the members, however, must have been Gentiles.

They had turned “to God”. Paul could have stated that they had repented, for what he says corresponds exactly to the meaning of the word repentance. Repentance is a complete turning in the life, a radical change of direction. This turning to God is further explained by the verb “to serve” (v.9). The word literally means “to serve as a slave”. The commitment to God is complete and unreserved. Of course, it is voluntary commitment, a relationship into which believers enter joyfully and freely. In this way, it differs significantly from the involuntary, grudging service of the slave. The God of the Thessalonian believers differs from the pagan idols in that He is the “living and true God”. God is the only one who can be described as living because He is the only one who is indestructible.

The last aspect of the change in the lives of the believers is that their values and goals are no longer defined by the things of this world. Their life has a greater and higher end. Thus, they expectantly await the coming of the Savior, God’s “Son from heaven” (v.10). This hope is not mere wishful thinking. It is based upon what has already happened. God “raised” Jesus “from the dead”. This means that Jesus is alive. It also means that He has the power to deliver these who trust in Him completely. Paul taught that the salvation of the believer is complete. Paul affirmed that Jesus can be trusted to “rescue us from the coming wrath” (also in Rev. 3:10). May we all strive to attain such devotion and passion for God as we live out our lives in and through Christ today.

Here is a great website for all types of Christian helps and tips for all ages, including clothing and many other Christian items:

GREAT WEBSITE FOR CHRISTIAN TIPS- ALL AGES

 

A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN

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A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN

Will the New Earth Be an Edenic Paradise?

This world -including its natural wonders- gives us foretastes and glimpses of the next world. This life -including its culture- gives us a look into the next world. If we take literally the earth depictions of life on the New Earth, it will allow us to make a direct connection with our current lives. We have gone through many, many scriptures in the past 4 weeks that seem to make that case very strongly. When we are eating with people here, enjoying food and friendship, it’s a bridge to when we will be eating there, enjoying food and friendship. This isn’t making a leap into the dark of a shadowy afterlife; it’s just taking a few natural steps in the light scriptures give us. The Grand Canyon, the Alps, the Amazon rain forests, the Serengeti Plain- these are rough sketches of the New Earth/ (Can you imagine the trips to be taken by Thelma and Louise?) What about a visit to the Serengeti Plain without the worry of being eaten by a lion? Whenever we see beauty in water, wind, flower, deer, man, woman or child, we catch a glimpse of Heaven. Just like the Garden of Eden, the New Earth will be a place of sensory delight, breathtaking beauty, satisfying relationship, and personal joy. “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there He put the man He had formed. And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground- trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.”(Genesis 2:8-9). The phrase ”planted a garden”, shows God’s personal touch, His intimate interest in creative details of the mankind’s home. John 14:2-3 tells us that Christ is paying attention to the details as He prepares for us an eternal home in Heaven. Think- if He prepared Eden so carefully and lavishly for mankind in the six days of creation, what has He fashioned in a place He’s been preparing for us in the 2,000 years since He (Jesus) left this world?

There are those who believe that the New Earth will “start over” with Eden’s original paradise. The scriptures indicate the New Earth will be a carryover of culture and nations from the old earth. The New Jerusalem will be a great, advanced city as we see in Revelations 21:22. Besides Eden wasn’t just a garden. It was an entire land of wonders (Gen. 2:11-12). In Revelations 21:19-20, it tells us about the foundations of the New Jerusalem’s walls. The onyx of Eden (as described in Exodus 28:9-12 & Ezekiel 28:13) will be on this foundation and displayed as a memorial to Eden. So we will not return to Eden but we will remember it. Isaiah 51:3 says “Indeed, the Lord will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and sound of a melody.” Isaiah, considered the greatest prophet of the Old Testament, says all of the New Earth will be magnificent and glorious. But so does Ezekiel 36:35- “This desolate land has become like a Garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.”  Isaiah even goes further in 35:1 and 55:13. That seems to be saying that if we want to see a desert, we had better do it now. In studying Isaiah, I am amazed at the New Earth prophecy in the Old Testament. Wait until you hear about animals from Isaiah.

What will New Nature Be Like?

We’ve never seen men and women as they were intended to be. Herman will likely be able to out race us all. We’ve never seen animals the way they were like before the Fall. Have you seen the new Travelers Insurance commercial with the scenes of the animals? We have seen marred remnants of what once was. Likewise, we’ve never seen nature unchained and undiminished. Authors C.S. Lewis (Narnia) and J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings) saw core truth of old mythologies and they give us a glimpse of people & beasts & trees that are vibrantly alive. Lewis goes on to say that “Christians have the best of both worlds; we have joy whenever this world reminds us of the next and we take solace whenever it does”. If you get a chance, watch the original Narnia where Lucy & her family and friends come upon what reflects the biblical revelation of the New Earth. It also uses the comparisons of the Old Narnia to the New Narnia to capture the biblical theology of the old and New Earth better than any theologian- according to Randy Alcorn. So C.S. Lewis has used scripture in the making of his Narnia series. It is hard to believe that these movies became popular in today’s environment. On the New Earth we will see the Earth where no good thing will be destroyed. The New Earth will be a place of healing, the place where all hurts are healed, all suffering forever eclipsed by joy (Rev. 22:2). Every healing was a memorial to the Eden that was and a signpost to the New Earth that will be. Everything changes when we grasp that all we love about the old Earth will be ours on the New Earth – either in the same form or another. Think about what this means- we won’t have to regret leaving all the wonders of this world we’ve seen or mourn not having seen its countless other wonders now. We will yet be able to see them.

What is the New Jerusalem?

Scripture that we have talked about before describes Heaven as both a country and a city, (Hebrews).  Fifteen times in Revelation 21 & 22 the place where God and His people will live together is called a city. In these verses there is a detailed description of the architecture, walls, streets, and other features of the city. So it is a literal geographical location. What do we know about cities? A city is a place with buildings, streets, residences occupied by people (both inhabitants and visitors), bustling activity, cultural events and gatherings involving music, arts, education, religion, entertainment, and athletics. It would seem to be misleading for Scripture to repeatedly call it a city if the New Jerusalem, as the capital city of the New Earth, doesn’t have these defining characteristics. The New Jerusalem will be the largest city any human could imagine. In Revelations 21:15-16 the exact dimensions are given, as measured by an angel. It is said to be 12,000 Stadia, or the equivalent of 1,400 miles in length, width, and height. A metropolis this size in the middle of the United States would stretch from the Canadian border to the Mexican border and from the Appalachian Mountains to the California border. ( I have heard others use from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains- not sure which is most accurate. Either case- it is big!) That makes the ground level two million square miles- 40 times bigger than England, 15,000 times bigger than London, 10 times larger than France or Germany, and many times larger than India. However, we are told it is also 1,400 mile high. I am not sure how to compare that- except if each story was 12 feet high, the city would consist of 600,000 stories- each 1,400 miles long and 1,400 miles wide. All of this is very hard for us to try to understand or visualize. However, this is just the city. Revelation 21:4 appears to be telling us that the Church (us when it says nations) will live in the Holy City. The rest of those who came to Christ during the Tribulation and Millennium will likely live outside the New Jerusalem in other cities and in the country (which will be the rest of the New Earth). All who live on the New Earth will be able to travel to all parts and come and go to the New Jerusalem and other areas at will.

The city will have “a great high wall with 12 gates and with 12 angels at the gates.” There will be three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west- Revelations 21:12-13. Revelation 21:25 says these gates will never be closed. There will be no need for security, plus the angels will keep watch. There will be no enemies outside the city’s gates as the entire New Earth will be filled with the knowledge of God- Habakkuk 2:14. And citizens from outside the gates will regularly travel through them, (Rev. 21:24, 26). The city’s open gates will be a great equalizer. There’s no elitism in Heaven; everyone will have access because of Christ’s blood. All people will have access to the city’s parks, museums, restaurants, libraries, concerts- anything and everything the city has to offer. The vast distances involved between the three gates on any side of the city, suggests each gate may go out into a different country, perhaps each with radically different terrain and spectacular sights. People have always gathered at city gates to share news and tell stories. We will be freed to be even more rational, without fears, inadequacies, and sins that plague us now. Revelation 21:8 says there will be no deceit and no lies. To be part of a city is to be a citizen. Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:20 says “Our citizenship is in Heaven.” Note the verb tense- “is” – not “will be”. Although our citizenship in Heaven is present, our residence there is future and assured! This New Jerusalem will be a solid, permanent city, secured by far more than tent stakes. It has not one foundation but 12, each decorated with a different gem-Rev. 21:14, 19-20. Hebrews 11:8-10 tells us that Abraham “was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” The New Jerusalem is that city. This city will have all the advantages of an earthly city but none of its disadvantages. The city will be filled with natural wonders, magnificent architecture, thriving culture- but it will have no crime, pollution, sirens, traffic fatalities, garbage or homelessness. Imagine moving through the city to enjoy arts, music, and sports without pickpockets, porn shops, drugs, or prostitution. Imagine sitting down to eat and toasting the King (with a glass of fruit juice), who will be glorified in every pleasure we enjoy. All who wish to come to Him, anytime, at His throne may do so. God will delight to share with us the glories of His city – and ours.

What will the Great City Be Like?

The New Jerusalem, capital city of the New Earth, will be the largest city that has ever existed. However, in Luke 19:17-19, Jesus mentions many other cities that will be on the New Earth. So others will come from many cities and countryside to visit New Jerusalem. Heaven’s capital city will be filled with visual magnificence. “It shone with the glory of God and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal”.-Rev. 21:11. John continues on in Rev. 21:18-19 to describe the opulence- “The wall made of Jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city wall were decorated with every kind of precious stone.” John then names twelve stones, eight of which were stones of the high priest’s breast piece in Exodus 28:17-20. “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.- Rev. 21:21. Tressa- there is your streets of gold!

What is the River of Life?

John describes a natural wonder in the center of the New Jerusalem: “The river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city”- Rev. 22:1-2. Because the city is a center of life and water is an essential part of life, it suggests further that our new bodies will still want water. And where does John say is the source of this great river of life? The Throne of God!! So we won’t have to leave the city to find natural beauty. This river will very likely have many tributaries throughout the rest of this vast city. We are able to walk down the street beside this river and even drink from it (no pollution). The city will have countless other streets but likely none like this great street with the river that leads directly to the Throne of God and the Lamb.

What is the Tree of Life?

John then mentions another striking feature: “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. And leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations.”- Rev. 22:2. (It seems that we, the Church Age believers and the Old Testament saints are referred to as the “nations” many times.) This may be indicating we will continuously get “refreshing” from God. The tree of life is mentioned three times in Genesis 2 and four times in Revelations, three of those in the final chapter. We are told the tree of life is presently in Paradise- Present Heaven- Rev. 2:7. All of this seems to be saying two other note-worthy observations: 1) in the New Earth there will more than one tree of life, (“on each side of the river stood the tree of life”), possibly an entire park of these trees in many locations in the New Jerusalem, and 2) as we talked last week about past perfect verbs in Hebrews description of the New Jerusalem, this also seems to be saying John was seeing the city in Present Heaven. So this is the second time that scriptures may be indicating that the New Jerusalem is also ready to live in – in the Present Heaven- and has been prepared long before it comes to Earth as told in Rev. 21:1. This tree of life suggests a supernatural provision of life as Adam & Eve ate the fruit their Creator provided for their use, and we shall have access to it forever. Notice there is no mention of the tree of the knowledge of good & evil to test us. “To him who overcomes (believes in Jesus), I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”-Rev. 2:7. So this tree of life will be brought down to the New Earth. The indication that there is a monthly yield of fruit demonstrates the newness and freshness of Heaven and that the fruit is to be consumed. Ezekiel 47:12 prophesied the same thing, “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” So Ezekiel seems to be confirming that there will be many types of trees and Rev. 2:7 seems to say the city is full of parks containing these trees. (See how all of this fits together.) In Rev. 22:2 John says “the leaves of the tree are for healing nations”. This is the third time in Rev. 21 and 22 that the inhabitants (us) of the New Earth are referred to as Nations. So nations will not be eliminated but healed. Indicating that our source of everything is coming directly from God!

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